The R33 has been a hot lightning rod of discussion of late, and this, from ORCA (the Ocean Racing Catamaran Association), will certainly add to it. This is of course controversial and the fact that it involves one of our advertisers is no reason for us to shy away from it. We have an e-mail into The R33 people to see what their response is. We of course will share it.

Multihull stability is a function of many factors: the most critical of which are: vessel weight, centerline beam, sail area, center of lateral resistance, center of effort, sea state and skipper/crew performance. Because the interaction of these (and other) factors is very complex, a definitive judgment of stability in all conditions is difficult.

One of ORCA’s (Ocean Racing Catamaran Association) objectives is to promote safe and self-sufficient “offshore and “coastal” multihull racing (see article 5.1 of the ORCA By-Laws). Towards this end, the ORCA board has always reserved the right to disallow multihulled boats that do not meet its standards in this area. Beach cats, for example, have been excluded for this and other reasons. Beach Cats represent an unacceptable risk of capsize and a need for outside assistance to be allowed in coastal and offshore races.

It is presently the position of the ORCA Board of Directors that the Reynolds 33 catamarans are too unstable a boat to meet ORCA requirements as a qualified boat under ORCA guidelines and principles. The history of capsizes (number of capsizes vs. number of boats sailing and miles sailed) indicates to the Board that the Reynolds 33 represents too high a risk of needing outside assistance.

Should the Reynolds 33 catamaran change its parameters in the future and prove to be more stable, and thereby reduce the chance of it requiring outside assistance, then it may be considered to be a qualified ORCA boat.

Comments?

07/05/06